Bradgate Park 'dogging' crackdown as bosses reveal new security measures
'This is anti-social behaviour and is not wanted here'
Adrian Troughton
Bosses at a Leicestershire beauty spot are to gate off a car park to stop people 'dogging'.
The Bradgate Park Trust is to put up gates at the Hunts Hill car park to prevent people using the public space to engage in sexual activities and drug taking.
Trust director Peter Tyldesley said staff had become sick of having to collect up used condoms and drug paraphernalia on Monday mornings after a weekend.
He said: "The problem is that there is 24-hour seven day a week access to this car park.
"I think other car parks in the area do not have this access so I think this is why these people use it.
Aerial view of Hunts Hill car park (Image: Google Maps)
"It is people taking part in 'dogging' sessions and people taking drugs. On many occasions we have seen used condoms, empty laughing gas canisters and the remnants of cannabis joints.
"The car park gives access to nearby Old John and is used by parents and their children. We have to clean up on Mondays so people can use the car park.
"This is anti-social behaviour and is not wanted here. It seems the only way we can stop this is to put up a gate and lock the car park to prevent access.
"It is sad because what it means is that we have to divert staff and resources away from ensuring Bradgate Park is a great place for families to enjoy.
"The anti-social behaviour of a minority has a big effect on the majority.
Hunts Hill car park in Bradgate Park (Image: Google Maps)
The car park is off Sharpley Hill and is the car park nearest to Old John – the famous folly or prospect tower built in 1784 by the 5th Earl of Stamford.
The term 'dogging' means to have or observe exhibitionist sex in a public or semi-public place, usually outside, where other people will watch and sometimes join in.
Laughing gas is nitrous oxide which is inhaled by people from small metal canisters.
Old John at Bradgate Park
Emergency services and health bodies have issued a number of warnings about the potential dangers of using inhaling the gas .
The substance was linked to five deaths in the UK last year.
Since the Psychoactive Substances Act came into effect in May 2016, it is now illegal to supply or import nitrous oxide for human consumption.
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Bradgate Park